Giancarlo Stanton hits 57th homer, sets Marlins RBI record

Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton is aiming to become the sixth member of baseball’s exclusive 60-homer club. He took another step towards that milestone during Saturday’s 12-6 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks, launching his 57th home run. In the same game, he also set a new Marlins single-season record for RBIs.

Stanton entered the night tied with Preston Wilson, who drove in 121 runs for the then Florida Marlins in 2001. It didn’t take Stanton long to put that number behind him. In the third inning, he smoked a two-run double in the middle of Miami’s five-run rally against starter Taijuan Walker.

Stanton finished the game a triple shy of the cycle. He had two chances to complete it, but ended up flying out in the seventh before adding an RBI on a fielder’s choice in the ninth.

The most important thing is that Stanton maintained his remarkable pace. He only needs three home runs to join Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds as the only players to hit 60 in a season. For Stanton, that could easily happen in one big game.

Also working in his favor is Miami’s upcoming three-game series at Coors Field in Colorado, where Stanton has crushed some of his longest home runs. He’s a natural fit a mile above sea level, having hit 10 home runs there during his career. At this point, it would be an upset if Stanton doesn’t get to 60.